| Historic Name: |
Broadmoor Drugs |
Common Name: |
Plumlee's Pharmacy |
| Style: |
Commercial |
Neighborhood: |
First Hill |
| Built By: |
unknown |
Year Built: |
1928 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. |
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This large one-story commercial structure is a major presence in the compact Madison Park commercial district for its key corner location and distinctive style and detailing. The building curves with the irregular intersection formed by Madison Street cutting diagonally across the north-south streets. The curve is emphasized by the gabled parapet and pilasters with cast stone caps and finials. The bduilgin has apparently always had a druigstore as its major tenant. In the early years, the Red and White market and the Purity Bakery joined the drugsotre. Later, as shopers went to larger markets, services such as a radio-TV repair sotre and the current dry cleaners were in the building. This structure is typical of the commercial buildings that developed along streetcar lines, but is more ornate and intact than most. It has been owned by Alann Jacobs since 1964.
Madison Street is the only direct connection from downtown to Lake Washington, having been put through in 1865 by John McGilvra, who owned what is now Madison Park. After he built one of the city's first cable car lines, the shore became a popular place for outings, with a bandstand and promenade. In 1917, with construction of the Chittenden Locks in Ballard, the water level of the lake fell, leaving a broad beach behind. The park was turned over to the city Parks Department in 1922. Until the construction of the first Lake Washington floating bridge in the 1930s, this was the major gateway from the Eastside to Seattle; the ferry to Kirkland ran until the early 1950s. With the park and ferry terminal, a thriving business district developed during the 1920s.
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| Appearance |
| This building curves to fit the intersection, with the main corner marked by gabled parapets topped by urn finials and tall pilasters with cast stone ornamental caps. A metal suspended canopy shelters the storefronts. The building is clad with brick, with much of the brick above the canopy covered with stucco; the amount of stucco coverage seems to have increased over the years. The storefronts are substantially intact, with recessed entryways, large display windows and black tile bulkheads. |
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